2012 Chevrolet Orlando

Chevys little bus is headed our way with styling watered down from the concept.

At the Detroit auto show in January, Chevrolet announced that not only will its Orlando concept see production, but it will be sold in the U.S. in 2011, likely as a 2012 model. Such a short gestation period from concept to production is due to the fact that the Orlando displayed at the show and the one soon to be available in dealerships are both built on the platform of the 2011 Cruze, the small car set to replace Chevy’s Cobalt. The Orlando prototype spotted here gives a fair look at how much the pugnacious concept will change for production.

Although heavy camouflage covers the front and rear, the bare side sheetmetal gives away the usual distillation from show car to show room car. The concept’s jutting rocker extensions and pronounced fender flares appear to be smoothed, leaving a less-inspired and more vanlike profile. The taper of the greenhouse remains, but the glass grows a little taller to accommodate real people inside. The taming of the concept’s design is unfortunate, as the concept promised a surprisingly attractive way to transport seven people.

Beneath the rear camo, the answer to how the Orlando concept’s funky recessed and pillarless rear glass will translate to production remains hidden, but we assume there won’t be a massive sunroof over the rear seats. While the front is likewise hidden under heavy wraps, the shrinking of the fender flares should be the only major change, and Chevrolet’s signature split grille is visible through the disguise.

Although it rides on the Cruze’s platform, we suspect the 140-hp turbocharged 1.4-liter from the Cruze won’t quite be enough to propel the larger and heavier Orlando—particularly with all seven seats filled. Whether Chevy will squeeze another 20 or so hp from the engine—which would pit it directly against the fours in the similarly sized Mazda 5 and Kia Rondo—or install another, larger engine, is unclear at this point. The 182-hp 2.4-liter four from the upcoming 2010 Chevrolet Equinox is an intriguing possibility.

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*AccuPayment estimates payments under various scenarios for budgeting and informational purposes only. AccuPayment does not state credit or lease terms that are available from a creditor or lessor, and AccuPayment is not an offer or promotion of a credit or lease transaction.